Abstract
The Truels II cave located on the Larzac karst plateau in Southern France was part of a “megalithic” site set out on terraces. Excavations carried out at the site yielded four phases of funerary occupations dated between 3500 and 2000 BCE. While the first two phases are poorly documented, the third corresponds to a small sanctuary or a cult of relics. The fourth phase is representative of a place of primary deposition of the corpses (interpreted as a mortuary house) that were subsequently deposited in dolmens as demonstrated by the study of the teeth and bones of the limbs. Comparisons with other sites in Southern France and the Upper Rhone Valley in Switzerland (site of Petit-Chasseur, dolmen MXI) suggest that this last practice was more frequent than previously thought. The historiographical reasons are discussed as well as the meaning of these rites.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.